Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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What do you make of this?
April 9, 2007
Baja California-San Diego News
Private Military Company Plans Border Camp
A proposal to establish a private security force training
camp on the US-Mexico border is stirring controversy. The
camp in question would be set up in San Diego County,
California, by the North Carolina-based military contractor
Blackwater USA. Now undergoing official review is a plan
for an 824-acre training camp envisioned for a site near
the small town of Potrero, California, which is located
several miles north of the Baja California municipality of
Tecate.
The proposed camp site is close to an area called
the "Mushroom Zone," where undocumented workers are known
to cross the border, and near a wilderness area.
According to reports, Blackwater seeks approval for a camp
operated by 60-100 former military personnel who will train
up to 300 students at a time in firearms, urban assault
techniques and other skills. If opened, the facility is
expected to include dormitories, 15 shooting ranges and a
helicopter landing pad.
Residents of Potrero, a town of about 900 people, are
voicing their opposition to the camp. Reportedly, about
half the registered voters in Potrero have signed a
petition against the proposed facility. Resident Carl Meyer
told a San Diego television station that the camp could
disturb animals in the zone, while another unidentified
resident expressed concern about noise.
Owned by millionaire Erik Prince, Blackwater defines itself
as the "most comprehensive professional military, law
enforcement, security, peacekeeping and stability
operations company in the world." Author and journalist
Jeremy Scahill, who has written a new book about the
company, regards Blackwater as the world's largest
mercenary army.
According to Scahill, Blackwater USA holds a $300-million
State Department contract to provide security for Iraq.
Military contractors in the country receive up to $1,000
per day, according to a General Accounting Office report
cited by Scahill in a recent article. Killed or wounded
personnel from Blackwater and other military contractors
are not included in the official US military casualty list.
In addition to its work in Iraq and Afghanistan, Blackwater
was contracted to provide security in New Orleans after
Hurricane Katrina. On the West Coast, California Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger has held discussions with the company
about providing emergency disaster relief operations.
"Blackwater now envisions itself as the FedEx of defense
and homeland security operations," writes Scahill.
There was no immediate word about the possible missions of
graduates from a future Blackwater US-Mexico border camp.
The San Diego County government will have the final word
over whether or not the proposed Blackwater camp opens.
Sources: El Universal/Frontera/La Jornada /Notimex, April
6, 2007. Blackwaterusa.com. San DiegoReader.com, February
22, 2007. Article by Don Bauder. Counterpunch.org, January
25, 2007. Article by Jeremy Scahill. Calitics.com.
Frontera NorteSur (FNS): on-line, U.S.-Mexico border news
Center for Latin American and Border Studies
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
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Good Business Bernie:
In the Present condition of the absense of Law Enforcement on the Border, it seems it may be the only way for Private Citizens to protect their
Familes and Property.
I forsee an increase in Deaths of Criminals here in Texas due to the passage of the "Castle Law". Maybe a turn around where at this time the Criminal
has more Rights than the Average citzenen. We shall see.
Is this the start of many ex-Miltary tired of the "Fear" of the Citizens of this Country, not being able function ?? Could be.
Skeet/Loreto
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I find this line funny: "Resident Carl Meyer
told a San Diego television station that the camp could
disturb animals in the zone, while another unidentified
resident expressed concern about noise."
What does Carl think the hundreds of 'invaders' crossing the border throughout the night do?
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Bajalero
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 11-24-2003
Location: todos santos/ rcho san diego
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Here's another article
http://www.sdreader.com/php/cityshow.php?id=1566
Funny , Bauder has slowly sunken to new levels in journalism
"The company's owner, Erik Prince, has given lavishly to politicians, including former representative Tom DeLay, who left Congress in
a lobbying scandal, and Duncan Hunter ($1000 in 2004).
A little searching turns up the usual suspects in the name of protectors of the environment.
Perfect example of the liberal mindset. Oppose something that in fact would be good economically for the area, no doubt well funded and would bring
much needed improvements to infrastructure and create jobs in a depressed area and add a measure of security to the border.
These same people never have anything bad to say about the erosion, animal and vegetation death and tremendous environmental damage due to the
thousands of trails and the yearly wildfires caused by illegal aliens not to mention the break ins and property damage and all the garbage they strew
all over the back country.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3824
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Oh for god's sake. "Oppose something that in fact would be good economically for the area, no doubt well funded and would bring much needed
improvements to infrastructure and create jobs in a depressed area and add a measure of security to the border." Are you kidding me? security to the
border? IT'S A PRIVATE COMPANY training people for the Iraq war. The people who live in Potrero like their rural life. It's zoned Agriculture.
There's a county park for everyone to enjoy open space. How many years or work and money did it take to acquire the national forest and wilderness
areas for everyone's use. Nobody's complaining about a depressed economy in Potrero. Half the people who live there oppose it.
"These same people never have anything bad to say about the erosion, animal and vegetation death and tremendous environmental damage due to the
thousands of trails and the yearly wildfires caused by illegal aliens not to mention the break ins and property damage and all the garbage they strew
all over the back country." There's been plenty said, and a lot more done. You just don't hear about it, because the local news reports the building
of a snowman in Minnesota, or a driver crashing through a building in Kansas and thinks THAT's news.
More info:
"There are several reasons to be concerned about the plans for a Blackwater USA military-style training camp in the community of Potrero, located 30
miles east of San Diego, and five minutes from the Mexican border town of Tecate. Much of the land is either zoned for agriculture, or part of the
Cleveland National Forest, and is notable for it's chaparral covered hills and rural character. The area includes the Hauser Wilderness Area. Many
people live out there to get away from the noise, pollution and traffic, or to get closer to nature. The population is approximately 900, half of
which are registered voters. The poverty level is twice the national average at 26%.
Blackwater USA, a private military and security training company, is estimating their camp will employ approximately 60 people, and will have
facilities to provide six day training sessions for up to 200-300 students per week. Their Notice of Preparation filed with the County of San Diego
states:
The following facilities are proposed in order to accomplish the project objectives: Administration/ Headquarter Building; Caretaker Residence; Dining
Hall Building; Bunkhouse Building; Classroom Building; Armory Building; Tactical Driving Track; EVOC Skid Pad ; Urban Simulation Training Area;
Maintenance Building; Carbine Ranges; Pistol Ranges; Live-Fire Tactical Training Area ; Law Enforcement Training Tower; Rescue Safety Training Tower;
Ship Simulators; Track Maintenance and Classroom Building; Defensive Tactics Training Area; and Helipad. Existing poultry farming uses would be
removed and operations would cease. Existing cattle ranching would remain as an agricultural use.
That doesn't sound compatible with a rural life.. Over half the registered voters in Potrero have signed a petition opposing the facility. They're
worried about noise, pollution, environmental impact, and the effect on their rural lifestyle. I bet the Golden Eagle pairs that nest out there won't
be happy either.
None of this even begins to address the nature of Blackwater's business as a paramilitary organization that has been a key actor in the privatization
of the war in Iraq. IMO, a private military is completely antithetical to democracy. This allows the government to hide the true costs of war, as a
private organization is not subject to the say operational or financial scrutiny as a government miitary operation. That makes it much easier to start
and operate a war...a task that should never be easy.
This week, the County announced a public scoping meeting will be held this coming Thursday at the County of San Diego Department of Planning and Land
Use to allow public discussin of the project. (Only a week's advance notice and it's being held about fifty miles away from Potrero, but who's
complaining.)
Scoping Meeting, April 5, 5:30 p.m., Planning Commission Hearing Room, Department of Planning and Land Use, 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite B, San Diego, CA
92123.
This is a public meeting and I encourage you to attend. I've also been told that people will begin gathering outside the meeting location at 4:30 pm
to protest this project from environmental, land-use and anti-war perspectives. "
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bancoduo
Banned
Posts: 1003
Registered: 10-3-2005
Location: el carcel publico mazatlan sin.
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I wonder who is going to OVER-PAY Blackwater for their protection services?
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Bajalero
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 11-24-2003
Location: todos santos/ rcho san diego
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No I'm not kidding you wilderone. What difference does it make if it is a private co. or the US government?. I 'm very familiar with the area and
really couldn't think of a better place for Blackwater to build a training facility . Believe me when I tell you , there's alot of people living out
there that could use a job - if you could get them to work .
My main point is the usual hypocrisy in argument.
Where else are you going to impact so few people?
Have you been opposing the numerous Indian tribes all over San Diego County that are developing pristine and rural areas and buying up property
surrounding their reservations for even more development not to mention annexing those properties off the tax rolls?
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3824
Registered: 2-9-2004
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You want to promote this:
Blackwater USA was co-founded by former Navy Seal Erik Prince, a "billionaire right-wing fundamentalist Christian from a powerful Michigan Republican
family. A major Republican campaign contributor, he interned in the White House of President George H.W. Bush and campaigned for Pat Buchanan in 1992.
He founded the mercenary firm Blackwater USA in 1997 with Gary Jackson, another former Navy SEAL."
Prince's father, Edgar Prince, and Gary Bauer started the Family Research Council, where Prince interned. Prince's sister, Betsy DeVos, is a former
chair of the Michigan Republican Party.
Blackwater USA received no-bid contracts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and "post-Katrina New Orleans" from the current Bush administration.
"there's alot of people living out there that could use a job - if you could get them to work ." They're recruiting now for instructors - $600/day.
Maybe you and Bill M. are interested.
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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Private armies. What a great idea. Not an original one, though, there are private, non-government armies all over the world. Sometimes they even have
contests, pitting themselves against their government's armies. Lotsa fun!
Gosh, I am just so thankful for our wonderful politicians, who are so helpful to their generous donors. An we can chalk up yet another wonderful
advance to society from the current administration.
Gotta go, RoboCop is on the TV now.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3824
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Check it out:
http://iraqforsale.org/diaries/2006/08/video_tour_of_blackwa...
and you're paying for it.
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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Bottom line. Just when we thought that the bottom couldn't get any lower. The people at Blackwater, who have established a no-questions-asked
pipeline for our tax dollars to their private accounts, are running a PRIVATE ARMY which is for sale to the highest bidder. A PRIVATE ARMY. Period.
It isn't about protecting our borders, that is the Border Patrol's job. It isn't about creating jobs and improving the quality of life for the people
who invested in land where they want to establish their terrorist training camp. How would you like it if your back yard suddenly turned into a "war
zone" with the constant bang of concussion grenades and the 24 hour a day rattle of machine gun fire on fifteen firing ranges.
Folks are going to have to run some very screwy logic to convince anyone that PRIVATE ARMIES running around the USA with any form of non-outlaw status
is good for the country.
If Blackwater is legal, then why on earth has the government gone after other private armies such as the Party of God in Idaho?
The basic difference I see is that the Party of God whackos kill to support their warped philosophy and to get more weapons. Blackwater just kills
whomever they are paid to kill; garden variety mercenaries.
The acceptance of either makes a mockery of of our form of "civilization".
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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